3M plans to discontinue PFAS

On December 20, 2022, the US industry group 3M announced that it will discontinue production of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and work to discontinue the use of PFAS
in its portfolio by the end of 2025.

3M said the decision was based on careful consideration and thorough assessment of the changing external environment, including factors such as increasing government regulation of the chemical and growing demand for alternatives
.

3M estimates that the PFAS it currently produces have annual net sales of approximately $1.
3 billion
.
During the withdrawal of PFAS production, 3M expects to incur total pre-tax expenses of 1.
3 billion ~ 2.
3 billion US dollars.

PFAS still has applications
in the medical, semiconductor, battery, telephone, automotive and aircraft industries.
However, PFAS take a long time to decompose in the natural environment, potentially leading to permanent contamination
of soil and groundwater.
In November 2022, the California State Prosecutor's Department announced the prosecution of 18 chemical companies, accusing them of concealing the fact that PFAS products polluted the environment and endangering public health for a long time, and demanded that the cost
of cleaning up the pollution be paid back.